The Pros And Cons Of Entirely Removing Your Kitchen Backsplash

A kitchen backsplash provides an opportunity to add a pop of color and texture in that wall space between your cabinets and countertop. However, when it comes time to renovate your kitchen, you might question whether it's a better idea to remove it entirely rather than replace it. Evaluating the pros and cons of getting rid of your backsplash can help you figure out if this is the right choice — thankfully, House Digest's design historian, Sarah Bilotta, broke this down. She revealed that the pros include financial savings and an easier cleaning process. As for the cons, the expert shared that not having a kitchen backsplash leaves you vulnerable to wall stains.

Your kitchen may also look less sophisticated without this design feature. You should also know that Bilotta is not in favor of getting rid of a kitchen backsplash herself. "I personally prefer having a backsplash as I feel it offers a more polished and completed look while making your kitchen easier to clean," she shared while speaking exclusively to House Digest. Still, the choice is ultimately yours. Do you think the polished look of a kitchen backsplash is vital, or would you prefer giving it up to stay within budget for your kitchen renovation?

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Sarah Bilotta provided some additional expert insight on the pros and cons of removing your kitchen backsplash. "Leaving your kitchen backsplashless can definitely save money," the design historian shared. "As long as you use an eggshell texture paint, your wall should be easy to clean," Bilotta added, revealing another pro of abandoning the backsplash.

There are, of course, quite a few cons that might persuade you to opt for installing a backsplash instead. "Food, grime, and oil will inevitably discolor the wall behind your stove, especially if you do not have a proper ventilation hood," Bilotta shared. The expert went on to explain that this feature can also make your kitchen look more refined. "There are many options at varying price ranges for backsplashes, so there's really no reason not to have one," she added.

If you just aren't a fan of this design feature, consider opting for Bilotta's recommended alternatives to avoid the downsides of leaving the wall completely bare. "Rather than leaving your kitchen backsplashless, I would recommend using peel-and-stick tiles that are removable if you are on a tight budget, or a solid sheet of stainless steel or copper if you have some wiggle room in your budget," she advised. You want to purchase hard, easy-to-clean peel-and-stick tiles for the best results, according to Bilotta. When laying your backsplash tile pattern, avoid leaving gaps so dirt and grime isn't trapped there.

One tip Bilotta shared for those who do not want to install a kitchen backsplash is to add tiles only behind appliances. "Even a half-wall is a good option to protect from immediate cooking splatter," she explained while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "This is the biggest problem area in terms of cleanliness. This is also a large enough area that it can still nicely frame your cooking area, and create some dimension between distinct areas of your kitchen."

Bilotta went on to provide a few questions you can ask yourself if you are still uncertain whether removing your backsplash is the right choice for you. "Do you have a strong ventilation hood over your stove? If not, I highly recommend a backsplash for hygienic reasons," she shared. It's also important to evaluate the texture of the wall in the section where the backsplash would be installed. Bilotta also asks, "is your wall painted with an eggshell texture paint? If so, you may be okay without a backsplash, as this is the easiest type of painted surface to clean." The final question is whether you are planning multiple small renovations or a large remodel. If you are completing small touch ups, you can add the backsplash last and save up for the installation over time. This is a great tip for anyone upgrading a kitchen on a tight budget.